We don’t need to give much attention to why substance matters. Substance deals in practical, concrete value that speaks for itself. That much is clear. People will debate how much substance something has or what has more substance. Few will argue that substance doesn’t matter.
Less clear is the role and value of style.
As you know, some people lean heavily into style while others dismiss it. Some people provide plenty of substance but disconnect because of style. Others lead with style because they have little substance.
You’ve experienced people whose effortless style was attractive. You’ve experienced people whose effortful style was unattractive. You like certain things because of style despite weak substance and other things for their substance despite their style.
Style matters . . . but not always. It depends, in part, on you.
You value style differently depending on the setting, form, and substance it affects. Sometimes, you do this consciously, but more often, you do it subconsciously. You aren’t always sure why you prefer something. You just do.
For example:
- How does the way a person says something affect your interpretation of what they said?
- Do you only listen to music with substance in the lyrics?
- Are your favorite quotes because of their significant substance or the styling of the phrase?
- How much did style influence the car you bought compared to substance?
- Who are you discrediting their substance because you don’t like their style?
- Who are you assigning substance that isn’t there because you like their style?
Tomorrow, I’ll reveal the three definitive situations where style matters most.
Brick by brick. Do the work.
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